Tech's Henley Is No Longer Invisible

Mike Holtzclaw

The Invisible Man reappeared on Saturday. The ghost took tangible form. The dead man brushed off some dirt, climbed out of his grave and walked among the living.

Reports of Stacy Henley's demise were somewhat premature.

On Virginia Tech's football roster, Henley is listed as a split end, but you could call him a flanker or a tailback or, for that matter, a pulling guard. He is just as likely to play any of those positions as he is play split end. And he appears more likely to play at any of those positions than at defensive back, where he started 19 games in 1992 and '93.

So it was something of an odd moment on Saturday afternoon when, 3 1/2 minutes into Tech's Homecoming game, Stacy Henley ran 25 yards with a blocked punt to score the game's first touchdown. His name had not been heard on the Lane Stadium PA system since late last season, when he was benched after Boston College tore Tech's defense to shreds. Not just benched, but exorcised. As in not dressing for home games, not making road trips.

When Tech was in Louisiana for the Independence Bowl, Henley was visiting a friend in New York. On New Year's Eve, he realized the game was on and tuned in just in time to see Antonio Banks grab a blocked kick and run it back for a touchdown. Henley turned the TV off. It was too hard to watch his team play without him.

A year ago, the media guide had this to say about Henley: ``Seems to have found a home at Tech's new rover position. ... Has the perfect makeup for the position. ... Plays aggressive, physical football.''

This year's media guide reports his move to split end with no explanation.

The company line is that Henley was simply demoted. But clearly this is no ordinary demotion, with reasons that remain inside the locker room. Despite key injuries in the secondary at the time, Henley was all but put off the team. As a senior, he was told he would have to move to a position he did not even play in high school, a spot where the Hokies are deep in talent.

He considered quitting. He is one semester away from graduation, and he figured he could pay his own way and leave football behind. But Henley decided he still wanted to help his team, no matter what the role. The role, as it turns out, is on special teams.

In addition to his touchdown Saturday, Henley made a big play on a kickoff, leaping through a wedge of blockers to tackle the return man. Afterward, coach Frank Beamer talked in vague terms about Henley ``coming back from some disappointment'' and said he was proud of how hard the kid works.

When asked if the touchdown made him happy, Henley reflected for a moment and said: ``Content. Content more than happy, but I guess happier than I've been in a while.''

The hard feelings are still there, he admits. He tries to keep them deep inside, where neither he nor anyone else will have to see them.

Outside the media interview room hangs a team photo taken before the Independence Bowl. In the second row, No. 30 Vernon Dozier sits next to No. 32 Brian Edmonds. Henley, No. 31, is not in the picture. In more ways than one.

But Henley smiles, genuinely and unforced, when he says he is looking forward to the rest of his senior year. ``Who knows? Maybe I can make that bowl trip this year,'' he says. ``Maybe I can scoop up another blocked kick and run it in. Don't count me out, man. And don't count me out on defense yet either. You never know when they might need me, and I'll be ready.''